E:A Vol 7 Ch 3—January 2, 2121

Chapter 3: January 2, 2121

The morning of January 2, 2121 had Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna were at the bridge portal in Victoria’s barn. They were eager to see their dogs and see how the puppies fared with an adult dog to watch over them. Zy’nayth contacted the control room who said they were ready for the twins.

Ky’nayth entered the code, the bridge portal turned an amber color.

“Get a report and return. You have thirty minutes,” Zy’nayth said, instructing them on their “mission” as the Supreme Commander of the Raythian Fleet and Army, not their father. The kids thought having a mission was important, more important than just being kids going to see how the puppies had done overnight.

“Kay,” Mik’kenna said.

“No, Sissy, you say, ‘understood,’” Ky’nayth corrected.

She waved off her brother’s comment, “Daddy know what we mean.”

“This mission. This not play. We has to be serious.” He turned to his father. “We understood.”

“Good. Thirty minutes. Call me when you have arrived safely, and if there are complications, you call me immediately.”

“Yes, sir,” Ky’nayth said.

“Kay,” Mik’kenna grinned up at her father, her blue eyes sparkling.

Ky’nayth groaned and took his sister’s hand as the three-year-olds crossed over the bridge.

Zy’nayth headed back to the house, shaking his head and smiling.

Ky’nayth appeared in the control room, the Third Commander standing, waiting for the children to arrive. “Reporting for mission, Third Commander,” the boy said. “I has to call Daddy let him know we safe.”

The Rayth gave him a nod. “Jacob and Steve are on their way.”

Ky’nayth used his comlink, “Daddy, we here safe.”

“Acknowledged,” came the reply.

“Bye.”

“Out,” the Third Commander whispered to Ky’nayth.

“Sorry. Out.”

“Hey there!” Steve said, “Thank you so much for letting Baxter and Celeste stay up here last night. They helped Samson and Brownie settle.”

Mik’kenna was on her knees, smothering the dogs with affection. “I knew you do good job.”

“Um, let’s see,” Ky’nayth said after hugging his dog. “Uncle Chris and family coming up later today. And maybe some others. Sissy and I come up with Uncle Chris so make sure Storm know not to be scared and then she help puppies. I know no who else come up, but Sissy and I help big puppies so they help baby puppies.”

“Uncle Kaven come too,” Mik’kenna said. “Hero help, too. Course, we bring Celeste and Baxter up to help for bit, but they come back with me and Bubby.” She was looking past the major, one way then the other. “But you no bring Samson and Brownie here?”

“They’re with Julia,” Jacob said. “We wanted to see how they’d handle things with Baxter and Celeste away from them. She should be calling me any minute.” The words were barely spoken when his comlink buzzed. He smiled then looked at the twins. “They’re slightly agitated but doing all right. Do you two have time for a short visit? I’m sure it would help them.”

Mik’kenna, having lost all track of time, looked hopefully at her brother. “We has time,” Ky’nayth nodded after checking his watch.

***

“They get off okay?” Victoria asked her husband as he walked into the kitchen.

“Yes, though they will need breakfast when they return, unless Jacob and Julia serve them a late breakfast.”

Victoria frowned, “You could have gotten me up to cook.”

“The children were too worried about their dogs to eat. They will have more of an appetite when they return. I did get them to eat a half a banana and drink a half glass of juice.”

“I think the Supreme Commander needs to take a firmer hand with his children,” she grinned and kissed his cheek. “Love you.”

He grabbed her around the waist and gave her a passionate kiss. “You are lovely, Victoria,” he whispered in her ear.

She blushed and pulled away. “I need to check on your First Science Commander, then I need to make breakfast, and then, High Chancellor, we need to order furniture.”

“Ah, yes. I believe I marked all of your selections.”

“I want us to make sure we like what I picked.”

“Do you still wish to go to those furniture stores near here?”

“I just don’t see how I’d have time.”

“Half of everyone is returning to Terra 2 today, that means you do not have to cook as much. Ny’van, I believe is also headed back to Kiva. We have plenty of leftovers that Kol’non and I can eat. Lutia is capable of watching over Ja’val, plus there will be a Science Commander here to monitor him. John or Vince could go with you. I am sure they would not mind.”

“But what if you don’t like…”

“Victoria, I like your taste in furniture. We have looked over various sites and have agreed on everything. I do not foresee any issues.”

John and David walked into the middle of the conversation. David said he’d be happy to stay and cook for everyone, and John was more than happy to escort Victoria to whatever stores she wanted to see.

“I can even get us a transport if they have items in stock and you want to haul them home,” he said. “Want an omelet?”

She chuckled, “Actually, that sounds good. Okay, if you’re willing, I would like to check out a couple of my favorite stores. Would you mind if the kids tagged along? Kenna likes to design,” she smiled, “and Ky would feel left out if I didn’t offer to take him.”

“Not at all. Big Guy, is that okay with you?”

“It is.”

“Then let me check on Ja’val while you make me breakfast,” she smiled, “I think the Big Guy needs food too.”

By the time she had touched base with the Second Science Commander over Ja’val’s status, and had eaten, the twins were back home with their beloved pets in tow. John had made up some plain scrambled eggs for Ja’val and an omelet for Lutia. Janice was already cooking up everyone else’s breakfast.

Around the one new piece of furniture that had been purchased, the new enormous dining room table, Victoria talked about making a trip to the city. “I’ll need to pick up a few groceries for the dinner with the president when they arrive on Saturday. Remember, those of you leaving today and tomorrow, some of you will be back on Sunday to interview the kids.” She stopped and looked at Zy’nayth, “Becket. We can’t interview Hannah without Becket here.”

“He knows and will be here.”

“Lutia and I will be here, though I’m not sure about Ja’val,” Janice said looking at the pale Rayth who was not stomaching food well this morning.

“I will be here. I am not sure if I will be of much help,” he said.

“Since Zachary’s probably not going to be able to answer any of your questions, I wouldn’t worry about it,” John said. “Not like he knows about Rayth engineering. I doubt if Jack Burgeon could answer any questions you’d throw at him.”

“There are basic principles common to all engineering. Our terms and materials used may be different but the principles are the same.” He looked at his wife, “I probably should not had that little bit of hot cocoa last night.”

“I told you,” Lutia said, “as did Dr. Carson. Twice.”

Victoria chuckled. “Everything else is checking out fine. You’re recovering far quicker than my husband did which was quite the nightmare as you well know, and even quicker than Kol’non. Let’s stick to the plan, Commander. We don’t want any setbacks.”

“Other than eggs, what can he have today?” David asked since he was putting himself in charge of cooking.

“I was going to try some baked chicken and boiled potatoes. Just a little drizzle of olive oil on the chicken. No seasoning. But if he wants to try a little salt and pepper, he can, very small amounts. Lutia has a list of snacks.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Lutia said. “I’m more comfortable now with his condition, as long as he follows doctor’s orders.”

“I will,” Ja’val said. “I hate this nausea.”

“As we all have,” Zy’nayth grimaced. “It is not pleasant. I do not like being sick.”

“Me either!” Mik’kenna exclaimed. “Tummy get all rumbly and you has to run to potty and worry you make mess if you not get there in time. Too much stress!”

“Indeed,” Zy’nayth said.

After breakfast, David piloted John, Victoria, and the twins to a rental facility where they picked up a larger transport. Victoria thought it was far too large, but John said they had a lot of bedrooms to furnish and who knows what they’d come up with.

The kids wanted to walk, but Victoria made them get into the stroller she’d brought along. They were full of energy, but she knew they’d get tired on the trek to the stores since they’d been up very early to go to Terra 2, due to the five-hour time difference. They had only made it inside the 30-story building when John motioned to the stroller, then put his head on his hands. Both were asleep.

***

“General on the bridge,” an officer said as Karken’al walked in from one of the entrances to the command deck.

“Where’s my CSO?” Karken’al frowned.

“Coming,” Jil’ana hurried in from a different entrance. “Didn’t set my alarm. Was up too late. Sorry.”

“Unbecoming of one of my command officers,” Karken’al said. “Report.”

“Since I can’t scan anything, I’ve just been watching visuals. There’s not a lot of activity. No one on the mainland, shuttles aren’t being used. If it wasn’t for the lights, I’d day the ship just landed and everyone disappeared.”

“With the tremors, they probably recalled everyone to the ship,” Karken’al said, flipping through the “pages” on the tablet he held. “Any bridge activity? We can detect that without scanning, correct?”

“Yeah, the portal’s tied into our system. There’s not been much activity there either. A couple late last night, then nothing until about an hour ago. One incoming, thirty minutes later, one outgoing.”

“Out to?”

“Don’t know. Can’t trace the incoming either.”

“Why not? I thought all portals were tied into our database.”

“They are. At least all non-Rayth controlled portals are. Rayth change the portal sequence and…uh, we haven’t been able to break their codes. Sorry. We’re still working on it.”

“But you thought you could break into their satellites.”

“Well, that’s a little easier. Straight security codes. Doesn’t rely on placement in the galaxy and accounting for drift.”

“And you know the satellites are straight security codes? How?”

“Well…uh,” Jil’ana sighed, “I peeked at one. Nothing traceable and it was a few years ago. I didn’t download the code, I just got into their data stream and…it was pointed right at one of our satellites, almost, and I had to be sure it wouldn’t detect ours. The only way to do that was peek at their code. I saw the outer layer, but the secure stuff was hidden. Given what I saw, I’m pretty sure I could get into their systems if needed. I’ve not looked since. And, as I said, I didn’t copy any files or anything. I peeked, that was all.”

“Next time, you contact me before doing anything like that.”

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. As for the portals, there’s also the possibility they finally learned how to build one.”

“I don’t think that’s happened yet.”

“Why not?”

“They wouldn’t have dug up a portal to put on the mainland,” he pointed to the image he’d just come to. “That is a Mythican portal, is it not?”

“It is.”

“There was never a portal there previously.”

“You sure?” she asked.

“I’ve been going over the history of this planet. The portal in the ship is what was utilized. That and the teleporters.”

“That one could have been put there long before the team came over from Earth.”

“Doubtful. Either we put it there or the Rayth did. We didn’t, unless there’s something else you wish to tell me. The Rayth would have no need for one there. They could teleport from their own ships. I bet Zy’nayth dug that thing up for the earthlings. Therefore, if the Rayth could build bridge portals, he would have just built one for them, not scavenged this one from somewhere.”

“I’ll look at some dormant sequences, find out where it came from.”

“Don’t bother. Zy’nayth would have changed the code and knowing where it came from serves no purpose.” He handed the tablet back to her, “But it does show that he’s willing to do quite a bit for these humans.”

“His wife is part of that team.”

“Yes, but I think it’s more of him wanting to set an example for all of his people: there can be an alliance between humans and Rayth.”

“You’re basing an attempt to contact him on a lot of assumptions. Some pretty tenuous ones at that.”

“I am more than aware of that,” he stood to go to his office, “it will have to be done if we want to survive.”

***

Zy’nayth was sitting in the smaller living room, the only one currently furnished. He was talking with those who hadn’t returned to their homes. The dogs were playing or snoozing in front of the fireplace. Kel’lan was sitting up flipping through the cloth pages of his baby book, babbling his version of words and the story, occasionally stopping to clap at one of the dogs or himself.

The Third Commander came walking up the steps from the basement, sending the dogs into a frenzy. They rushed to the door, tails wagging, toenails clicking on the hardwood floor as they pranced around.

“Forgive me for not calling ahead,” he said, walking across the open area to the living room. “Chris is filling in for me. I wanted to bring this to you personally.”

Zy’nayth stood and went over to his Commander, taking the glass computer chip from him. “Have a seat. What am I going to see?”

“I’ve had the Science Officers on the city-ship running various scans. The warship Science Commanders as well. Unobtrusive scans in case we were being watched.”

“The blip?” Zy’nayth began looking at the data.

“Yes. I know it was not just a blip. Look at this reading.” He pointed to the spot to which he was referring. “A spike in background noise. Then again here,” he swiped to the next screen, “and one of the warships caught another here. But nothing since this time yesterday. Nothing at all.”

Zy’nayth handed the tablet to Ja’val who was sitting next to Kol’non. “Thoughts?”

Ja’val took one look at the data. “We are definitely being watched. That distortion is caused by a scanning beam.”

“I have signals bouncing all over our satellites trying to detect a cloaked ship. The warships are on high alert. The scans I had performed are low level scans. What John has sometimes referred to as something akin to Earth’s radar system. I didn’t want to alert whoever is watching us that we’re aware of their eyes on us.”

“Why’d they stop?” Kol’non asked.

“That would depend on who they are,” Zy’nayth said. “Rebel Rayth, unless they had one of those new ships, would see that they are no match for the ships around Terra 2, and so stopped scanning. Though I doubt if the rebels are involved. Whoever provided that new technology to the rebels could be looking for weaknesses to exploit. Perhaps checking on the status of the city-ship and are reporting back for instructions.”

“Then I need to head back,” Vince stood.

“No. My men can handle it. We play ignorant. Keep the warships on alert. Call for more to patrol the sector. Transports, not warships, but have a couple warships begin to make their way towards Terra 2, very indirect routes. Christopher and Kaven have both handled the city-ship against the rebel ships, so should these scans be coming from an enemy, they can assist you.” He looked at Vince, “I do not think the city-ship is in danger. The rebels would have attacked. They never scan first which is why I believe they are not involved.”

“But that unknown rebel benefactor could be out there,” Vince sighed, “I don’t like this.”

“Those readings are benign. If I truly believed it was coming from a threat, an enemy, I would not be sitting here. My flagship would be on its way at top speed to Andromeda. However, it is prudent to be vigilant.”

Ja’val asked his wife to get his tablet. Lutia went to the study and returned with the credit card sized device. In just a couple of taps the thing had two screens up and a holographic keyboard. The Third Commander had always been fascinated with how Ja’val’s mind worked. He could see things in data that others couldn’t; he could assess data points or situations in the blink of an eye. Or so it seemed. Though Rayth who served in the army, and more specifically on the flagship, were often thought of as austere, rigid, by the rules, kind of men, the First Science Commander, however, would also allow flashes of his humor and excitement get the best of him. Some thought he wasn’t smart enough to be a Commander, let alone the First Science Commander of the entire Raythian Empire. Those people were proven wrong time and again.

“Yup,” Ja’val said a minute later having taken the computer chip and put it into his tablet then called up various screenfuls of data, “look at this. They haven’t scanned any of the warships. None of these data points line up with the orbits of our warships. But they have been scanning the city-ship. Nothing deep. This distortion isn’t enough to indicate they were using penetrating scans. Sort of like John’s radar analogy. Anyway, there are a couple of scans of the city-ship, here and here. Now, look at this,” he pointed to a second screen. “Here’s the timeline of the tremors. They start, or rather are brought to our attention here. The next scan, is not of the city-ship. It’s directed towards the planet. All subsequent scans are of the planet except this one, when we recalled people from the mainland.”

“Could the scans cause the tremors?” Vince asked.

“No. No. They’re looking for the cause. And they risked using a better form of scanning. The distortion is more pronounced. Not much. They want to know why we pulled everyone off the mainland and, since they continued to scan the planet and not the city-ship, they have to be looking for the cause. It only took us a couple of hours to figure out the timing of the tremors, and that coincides with their scans. A lot of longer scans here at the start, then they taper off until nothing. They know why there are no people out and about and they don’t want to risk being detected. So, no more scans.”

“But they could still be hostile,” Vince said.

“If they were hostile, they would have noticed the attention we gave to the tremors and attacked thinking we were distracted,” the Third Commander said.

“He is correct. Right now, they are just curious. We remain vigilant, however, I do not think they are a threat,” Zy’nayth said.

“I agree, but,” Kol’non said, “we don’t really know anyone else with this kind of technology. I’m a bit concerned that someone’s out there who can stay hidden from us.”

“So there’s the group that helped the rebels,” Vince said, “and another, a second race that is close to your tech level? This isn’t sitting well with me. I trust you, but…what is the likelihood of two unknown, technologically-advanced races appearing almost simultaneously?”

“Perhaps it is a single race. Some who wished to help the Rayth rebels, and some who believe it is wrong to do so,” Zy’nayth said.

***

With two furniture stores gone through, the twins were getting fussy. Though they enjoyed the outing, they were hungry and disappointed that the pet store wasn’t on the day’s itinerary. Victoria looked at the mall directory and selected a restaurant. It wasn’t fast food, but it did have a buffet which would allow the kids to try a few different things. They enjoyed things like that and it would keep them occupied while she went down her pictures and compared things with what she’d looked at available on Kiva. John took the twins through the line, allowing Victoria to sit quietly for a few minutes since each of the kids would need to be lifted up to investigate the offerings. He didn’t mind. He loved playing “dad.”

“I got ham and meat ball and fried greeny beanies and mashed taytoes and a mushroom with cheese,” Mik’kenna said.

“I got chicky fingers. I no know why call that. Chickies’s no have fingers. But Uncle John say it just normal meat. And mac and cheese and taytoes and gravy and this broccoli cheesey thing and a fish.” Ky’nayth smiled at his mother, “Chicky fingers, that so silly.”

“Fish stick,” John shrugged his shoulders. “At least we got a green vegetable in there. Sorry, Doc.”

Victoria chuckled, “It’s okay. Once in a while isn’t bad. Go get yours, I’ll get mine last.”

“All right,” he said.

While he went off, Victoria called her husband. “Hey. Busy?”

“No. What can I help you with, my beautiful wife?” Zy’nayth was smiling as he sat back in his chair.

“I love you,” she grinned, as she looked at her notes. “Okay, we still have two more stores to go through, but we’ve stopped for a bite to eat. I made a decision about the furniture for our new chambers on the city-ship. You know that cherry set we both liked? The store in the capital you said made your desk in my old chambers.”

“Yes.”

“That’s what I want for the city-ship. Nothing here compares.”

“You said you had two more stores to look through.”

“True, but I keep comparing everything to that set. If I do find something here I like better, we can use one set in a guestroom.”

“I will wait to order until you are certain.”

“But we’re supposed to be moving in a couple of days. Besides, we both like it and I don’t want to get something you haven’t seen. Go ahead and order it. I want a bed to sleep on when we get back home.”

“Very well. Bed, dresser, two nightstands?”

“Yes, and that standing mirror.”

“What about the vanity?”

“I don’t wear makeup,” she replied. “Well, not often.”

“It is still a nice piece and will fit in the room without difficulty. If anything, it can hold your jewelry.”

“I don’t have much jewelry…” she sighed, “all right.”

“If you do not want it, I will not order it.”

“You want me to have it,” she smiled, “go ahead. Kenna will like it.”

“I like it! What do I like?” the girl asked, readying another spoonful of mashed potatoes.

“I shall order it.”

“That’s all I needed. John’s back. I need to get my food. Two furniture stores, then we’ll stop and get groceries. It’ll be dinnertime before we get home. When we head to get groceries, I’ll call and give you a better idea of when we’ll be home. Love you.”

“Love you, Daddy,” both kids said simultaneously. Zy’nayth sent his love which Victoria conveyed to the kids before she went to get her food.

She was feeling a bit of pressure when she realized that delivery would have to be next-day. With President Michael Stewart, his wife, and two adult children moving in on Saturday, security would be tight. Secret Service. Getting a delivery would be problematic.

“Got a problem?” John asked the third time Victoria sighed over her pictures. She told him.

“Which is why I got the large transport. We can load it up today.”

“I have eight bedrooms to furnish. A living room.” She ran her fingers through her shoulder length, curly brown hair. “Lamps and things. Pictures for the walls. Other décor.”

“We get what we can. There’s no need to rush. It’s not like the president is going to be using all that space. We order what we have to and arrange for a pickup, say next weekend. I can make a trip down. Vince and Kaven or Chris, whomever. We can get it moved in. Don’t worry.”

“Mommy, I no mean to interrupt,” Mik’kenna said, “but you no answer my question. What I like?”

“What?”
“You tell Daddy I prolly like something. But I no know what you talking ‘bout so I no know.”

“Oh, sorry, honey. He was talking about a vanity for the bedroom—a place to sit and do your hair and makeup.”

“Oh. Kay. I prolly like. You right.”

They ate quickly and went through the other two stores she’d selected. When John backed the large transport into the driveway, Zy’nayth and Kol’non came walking out as Vince and David put the young pups into a pen.

The twins were helped out then went running to give their father hugs and check up on the dogs. “Well?” Zy’nayth asked his wife as John opened the back hatch.

“We got a lot of stuff. I have to get décor, but I have most of the furniture. I should have started with the last two stores first.” She kissed his cheek. “Nothing for the city-ship. Just for here.”

“That is fine. The bedroom set has been ordered as well as a mattress.”

“How do you want to do this?” John said, getting up into the back end of the transport. “I’d also like to point out that Chris, Kaven, and Ny’van picked a good time to vanish from the estate.”

Zy’nayth laughed, “I believe we can handle this. No David, I do not want you lifting any of these items.” He tapped his comlink, and a minute later a hover lift appeared in the middle of the garage.

“David, you can help me unload the groceries. Dinner! I need to start dinner.”

“Janice and Lutia are pulling it together,” David said, “go inside. As the boys come in, you can direct them. I’ll get the groceries.”

Half of the transport was unloaded by the time dinner was being served. Victoria was thankful for Janice and Lutia’s cooking skills, and for the men who were working hard to move all of the furniture into the house. With bellies full, the men moved some of the smaller items, then finished the large pieces. It was nearly 9:00 when David and John took off to return the transport to the rental facility.

“I’m sorry we had to take down your train set,” Victoria hugged her son.

“It’s ‘kay. It be nice to have big chair to cuddle in with you,” he grinned at her then kissed her cheek.

Tears streamed out of her eyes and down her cheeks, “That’s so sweet, Ky. I love you. Very much.”

He smiled then yawned. “I so tired.”

“I think we all are. Let me make sure Uncle Ja’val is tucked in properly, then I think we’ll make it an early night.”

“I’m fine,” Ja’val waved her off. “I stuck to your orders. My stomach settled. I’m fine. Sleepy, but fine.”

“I still need to enter the info in your file,” she smiled then winked at the Second Science Commander, “patients are always so difficult.” She finished entering the stats in the tablet. “Lutia are you staying in here tonight?”

“Yes. If you’re willing to take Kel. I’ve burdened Janice too much.”

“I don’t mind the little guy. Sleeps through most of the night,” Janice said.

“We can take him a night,” Victoria said. “And since your husband’s doing so well I think the Second could forgo this watch and check in tomorrow morning.”

“I will stick to protocol,” Gno’toz said. “I would hate to have to explain to the High Chancellor why I wasn’t here.”

“I’ll tell him I ordered you to leave,” Ja’val said.

“Which he explicitly told me not to listen to.”

“Okay, Second stays. I’m not going to face my husband if something happens and I’ve sent the Second away. I’ll stand up to him on a few things, this isn’t one of them. As for you,” she picked up Kel’lan out of his mother’s arms, “you willing to stay with the High Chancellor tonight?”

In response, Kel’lan clapped.

“Where’s Cinnamon?” Victoria looked around.

“I think the twins already corralled her up to your suite,” Lutia said.

“All right. Call if something comes up,” she put a hand on Gno’toz’s arm. “Thanks for your help. See you in the morning.” She stopped, turned and found Lutia grinning at her, holding out the diaper bag. “Thanks,” she chuckled.

She carried the boy and the bag to the suite over the garage. The twins were in their pajamas and trying to settle Cinnamon down. The puppy was a ball of energy.  “I hope you don’t mind a guest for the evening,” Victoria said, walking in.

“Want me to make blankie fort for him to sleep in?” Ky’nayth asked.

“Make sure it’s well-padded, please,” Victoria said. “Can you get me one of your shirts for him to sleep in, first.”

Victoria got the baby ready for the night. Gave him a bottle, then wrapped him up in the blankets Ky’nayth and Mik’kenna had situated between their sleeping bags. Cinnamon darted across the room and snuggled into the blankets next to the baby boy. Kel’lan clapped then the dog rested its head on Kel’lan’s arm and both fell asleep.

The twins were tucked in, prayed over, then Victoria, exhausted after a long day, took a hot bath before climbing into bed. Zy’nayth held her close as she drifted to sleep. He was just about to doze off when his comlink buzzed. He let out a silent groan then tapped the comlink. “Yes?” he said in a low voice.

“Sorry to call so late,” came the reply, “I was wondering if there would be an issue if Holly and I were come in an evening early? Tomorrow evening, dinner time?”

“One moment,” Zy’nayth said and nudged his wife. “President Stewart wants to know if they can come a day early.”

“Sure,” she yawned. “Remind me in the morning.”

Zy’nayth relayed the information then curled back up with his wife.

“Oh no,” Ky’nayth popped up, “Sissy, we no talk to dogs about the cat. They no prepared!”

“Children, we will deal with the dogs in the morning,” Zy’nayth said. “Do not wake Kel’lan, please.”

***

Karken’al paced the bridge of his ship. A Rayth transport ship was skirting the edge of the system. Though they hadn’t been following movements of anything other than Rayth warships, the general didn’t like that this transport had appeared the day after they had been scanning Terra 2.

“It’s just a transport,” Tel’lok said from the flight station. “They have tens of thousands of them criss-crossing the galaxy. This one is headed to Kiva.”

“I’d rather play it safe. Jil’ana, set cloak and shields to maximum. Tel’lok,” he leaned over the First Officer’s shoulder and tapped in coordinates, “on my mark, get us there fastest possible.”

“Yes, sir,” Tel’lok said, plotting the FTL jump course. “Course set,” he said a minute later.

“Shields and cloak to maximum, engines ready to go to full at your command,” Jil’ana said.

“Tel’lok, it’s yours.”

A quick pass along the workstation layout and the engines roared to full power. The ship swung around and a moment later winked out of the system.

On Terra 2’s city-ship as well as one of the Raythian warships, the Science Commanders scanning the areas and checking the satellite feeds both caught the surge of power.

“Heading?” the Third Commander asked. Both Science Commanders gave him their assessment. He switched channels on his comlink, “This is the Third Commander, an unknown vessel, cloaked, has just gone FTL away from Terra 2. Data coming your way. I want to know where she stops. Do not engage, do not directly scan for her. Stay dark.”

He turned back to his Science Commander. “Shields to full.” He checked his watch. It was 8:47 which meant it was 3:47 in the morning at Victoria’s estate. He pressed the direct dial button on his comlink. The Raythian Fleet Commanders had a special ring; Zy’nayth’s top five Commanders had their own, so when Zy’nayth’s comlink buzzed, the specific chime told him it was probably urgent. He pushed back the blankets, “Yes?” he answered, getting out of bed.

Baxter and Celeste hopped up and Cinnamon soon followed as he headed out of the room.

The Third Commander relayed the information and the orders he’d given. Zy’nayth listened as he picked up Cinnamon and led the other two downstairs to go outside. “Anyone planet-side?” Zy’nayth asked.

“No sir. All are on the ship.”

“Take her up and park her in orbit. If they are in the area, or others with them, they may react. Watch for ten minutes. If no reaction, no detection of any unknown vessels, take her back down. Warships to the ready but they are not to change course. To be safe,” he said as Cinnamon hopped through the snow, “when landing, make her wobble a bit. Let them think we are training new pilots.”

“I can do it a few times for good measure.”

“Very well. Steve Kessler could use the practice.”

“My thought exactly, sir.”

“I want a report in thirty. Sooner if something is detected.”

“Understood.”

Zy’nayth whistled and the dogs came scampering back in, shaking the cold snow off of them. Cinnamon shook herself right off of her own legs. She was still at an awkward stage. Zy’nayth smiled and picked her up, carrying her up the stairs, then let her run back to the room where she curled up next to Kel’lan and went right back to sleep.

He walked over and kissed his wife’s cheek, then pulled his clothes from his closet. If there was trouble, he would be ready to take command of the city-ship. His friends had suffered enough. If this was a threat, he’d be ready. But deep inside, he didn’t think there would be trouble.